Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-12-17
(Copyri0hted, 1SS7.l

The society people especially have taken
hold of the new wrinkle with great deal OF
avidity, and already the preprietors OF two
large riding academies are apidly making
their fortunes teaching society how to ride.
Horseback riding, however, has long been
a favorite pastime with the prominent men
of Washington. The pioneers of this health
full exercise are Historian Bancroft and Lii
brarian Spofford Old Mr.. Bancroft for
years has been in the habit of taking an
early morning ride, and his well-known APP
pearance on horseback has become familiar
object to residents along the county roads.
Although his age would seem to exclude
him from such a violent exercise, yet he
contends that this daily outdoor amuse-
ment is one of the causes of his good
health. He can be seen in all weathers,
sunshine, rain, snow or storm, riding
unconcernedly along his favorite roads.
He is generally accompanied by his groom,
who silently rides behind him, for the old
gentlemen when he canters along seems to
give himself up to deep thought, and rarely
speaks when he rides. His riding habit
is model of good taste and style. He,
however, has only one style of hat or rather
cap. He wears sombre-hued jockey cap,
with deep visor of dark blue cloth. 1t is
of light material in the summer and early
fall, but toward mdwinter the cloth cap
gives place to sealskin of the same mold,
but with heavy ear tabs of the same material.
Of late Librarian Spofford has often accom-
panied the historian on hiss early morning
jaunts, but Mr.. Bancroft prefers to ride alone,
when he can give himself up to his medita-
tons. Both the historian and the librarian
are excellent judges of horsefesh, and have
two of the finest steeds in the city.
Nearly every one of the Cabinet officials
is fond of horseback riding and can be
seen almost daily in the saddle. Secretary
Bayard loves good horse and good ride.
His family all take after him, and his daugh-
tiers are all noted horsewomen. His eldest
daughter, who died so suddenly a short tina
ago, was the finest equestrienne in the city.
Her praises were often sung in the press,
and her daring feats at hurdle jumping and
cross-country riding furnished many tale
at the receptions winter before last.
Secretary Fairchild has lately taken to
notwithstanding for his health. The con-
finement of the treasury broke down his
predecessor, and the doctors told Mr.. Fair
child that the best exercise he could take
was horseback riding, and now the little
! chief of the Treasury Department spends
several hours every day in the saddle. He
takes it more as a medicine than a pleasure,
and it is rather funny to see him go jogging
along over the asphalt, wearing face that
denotes he is not on pleasure bent.
Like Secretary Fairchild, Secretary Whit
ney has taken to horseback riding for his
health also. Some years ago the Secretary
of the Navy suffered from overwork, and
his physician ordered him to buy horse
and saddle. Mr.. Whitney did so, and since
that time has become quite devoted to riding.
His wife has also appeared in the saddle, and
his young daughter, Miss Pauline, when she
comes home for the holidays, joins her father
and mother, especially on the fox hunts,
which are one of the fashionable pleasures
of the District.
But the equestrian of the Cabinet is Secre-
tary Lamar. When he first entered the
council of advisers of the President he made
it a rule to ride his thoroughbred Kentucky
saddle-horse to the White House every time
he went to a Cabinet meeting. Secretary
Lamar is very absent-minded, and often
when leaving the White House forgot to
mount his horse and used to lead him down
the path and some distance ON the avenue,
walking, to the establishment of all the pc
destrians, in the middle of the street with the
horse demurely following him.
There is a story told me at the White
House not many days ago, the truthfulness
of which, however, l will not vouch for, but
give it for all it is worth. A furniture wagon
70 ba nd
took out a high-leg5ed desk-one of those
stand-up bookkeeping desks seen in all
large otfices-and carried it into the execu-
tive mansion. 1 asked what it was for, and
one of the ushers replied with sort of
knowing laugh; "Why, it is for the
President. Don't you know he is taking
lessons in horseback riding?" If this be the
truth the President must have only recently
taken to horseback riding, and no doubt the
desk is to stand up to. If he is taking lessons
he does so at night, for no one has yet seen
him in the saddle. But he is advertised as
patron of the new riding school lately
opened in Washington.
1t is said that Mrs. Cleveland is an excel
lent equestrienne, and sits the saddle as
beautifully as she handles the reins of
|
| ately fond of horsehesh, and embraces every
opportunity to drive. Since her return from
the West she has purchased light side-bar
buggy and fast stepping horse, and drives
herself in and out from her country place to
the White House. She has a good riding
horse, but has never yet ridden on horseback
in the city.
If it became necessary for the Senate to
make parade on horseback it is more than
likely that two-thirds of the members would
make fine showing in the saddle-at least
half of them are noted horsemen.
Senator Wade Hampton can be seen al
most daily on the avenue during the sessions
of Congress, riding one of the finest horses in
the city. Senator Hampton, as every one
knows, only has one leg, and when he
mounts his horse he is obliged to have two
grooms assist him in getting into the saddle
1t is strange that man who has to be lifted
into place can ride so well, but he is soldier,
and is no novice at it.
Senator Butler is another one-legged sena-
tor who is, like Senator Hampton, an expert
on horseback. He rides large gray horse,
and even now can be seen daily exercising
on the country roads.
Senator Spooner is one of the little men of
the Senate, but he, too, has lately taken to
horseback riding, and together with Senator
Kenna, of West Virginia, is considered one